Glossy furniture for the living room - design options, tips on selection and care, 117 photos

At any time, a non-standard approach to business is highly valued. This applies to every sphere: fashion, literature, television and, of course, interior design. How to transform the decor in the living room, but not overload it with modular interior items that serve only to collect dust? Here we need not only some unusual, but also a rational solution. In such a situation, the use of glossy living room furniture will come to the rescue.

Pros and cons of glossy furniture

Among the main advantages of glossy living room furniture are:

• Durability in use, because furniture with a glossy surface is resistant to contamination.
• Furniture with a glossy surface visually expands the space, which is very important for a small living room.
• Furniture with such a coating looks very beautiful and expensive.
• Glossy furniture is well suited to many style solutions.

This type of furniture also has disadvantages:

• Smudges and fingerprints quite often form on glossy furniture.
• With a large number of glossy furniture items, eye fatigue may occur due to an excess of reflections and glare.
• If the living room is decorated in a palette of light colors, then glossy furniture can add a feeling of coldness to it.

The most winning compositions

The best option for shiny furniture would be so-called static interior items: cabinets, walls, bookshelves, cabinets. Their use is limited to storing any other furnishings, while tables and chairs are used differently, more often. On such pieces of furniture, gloss is not a very practical solution, as it focuses attention on any scuffs or scratches.

The next key point in using glossy interior items: they should be scattered around the room in the form of small accents or, conversely, placed in the center of the composition. You should be careful with this design decision, as reflective surfaces can make the overall look either luxurious or tacky. The decisive role here is played by a competent combination with non-shiny details. A great example is a cabinet or bookshelf with a glossy cabinet and frosted glass doors.

The classic solution was the use of reflective surfaces near the TV or home theater. LCD screens generally do not produce glare, like glass screens, for example. Therefore, the use of gloss in wall design is quite acceptable, even encouraged.

A work area and a closet with shiny shelves and drawers will look very stylish and business-like. The impartiality of vanilla gloss will play a positive role in this decision: it will help set the mood for productivity and give the place the rigor of a study.

Do not forget that not only a cabinet or modular living room, walls, but also upholstered furniture can have a shiny surface. However, it also has its pros and cons. For example, it is easy to clean, it looks chic (especially if it has the texture of real leather), but at the same time such pieces of furniture do not create a feeling of comfort, they are slippery and cold. Some people associate leather furniture with offices or other business premises.

Color scheme for a glossy living room

When choosing glossy furniture, special attention should be paid to the color scheme, since familiar tones can look different in gloss.

• Glossy furniture in black looks bright and deep, and when properly combined with matte furniture it can be either darker or more solemn in appearance.
• Glossy white furniture looks dazzling and impartial, but in large quantities it can make the living room cold and uncomfortable.

It is worth noting that all colors in a glossy design are brighter and more saturated in appearance.

Nuances when choosing colors for glossy furniture in the living room:

1. It is not recommended to choose a large amount of glossy furniture in cold colors for the living room, as gloss will only enhance this feeling. In order to give the maximum feeling of comfort and coziness, it is necessary to choose a warm finish for cold-colored furniture.
2. Bright, colorful pieces of furniture in a glossy finish are best chosen as an accent for furniture in neutral tones.
3. When choosing glossy furniture in several colors, it is recommended to choose no more than 2 tones so as not to overload the space.

Why is gloss not suitable for the bedroom?

Designers have differing opinions on this issue, but the majority is in favor of a lack of gloss in the design of this room. The bedroom is intended for relaxation; the key points of the interior here should be calm and comfort. Reflective surfaces will not allow you to relax, and some shades can make the room cold and somehow lifeless.

If we still talk about using white gloss MDF in the design of the sleeping area, then you should be very careful about the arrangement of objects in the room. Avoid placing reflective surfaces near mirrors and light sources.

Materials for glossy furniture

Glossy furniture facades are made in several ways:

• From plastic;
• In the form of varnishing;
• From enamel.

Also, instead of a facade, glossy furniture may have a mirror body. For their manufacture, chipboard or MDF is most often chosen.

If the product is made of chipboard, then it is more budget-friendly in cost, but less durable and not very durable in use.

Furniture made from MDF has a special protective layer of enamel or varnish, which directly acts as gloss. Furniture made from this material tolerates high humidity and temperature changes well.

It is worth noting that exposure to direct sunlight can damage the color, and some mechanical damage can cause the varnish to crack.

Characteristic features of a glossy interior

The shiny white surface of the furniture and ceiling is harmonious with the black finish of the walls and floors.

Combination of materials

Even a fashionable interior in the latest metallic style requires a very measured, harmonious distribution of sparkling surfaces in the bedroom, as is the case with bright colors.

Therefore, the instructions of professional designers name the main conditions for successful decoration.

• Bright gloss goes well with wood, stone and other natural materials , which means we will select such elements for finishing a wall or floor.
• In the presence of glossy furniture, a shiny stretch ceiling in the bedroom is not always appropriate, but its matte counterpart will advantageously highlight our design talent and the elite interior of the bedroom.
• We will decorate the walls in a room with sparkling furniture in the most calm color possible with our own hands . Wallpaper with an elegant but fine texture and the same patterns are suitable for this.

Tinting

Successful color ideas are an individual matter, but here we take into account the possibilities of a specific color.

• White gloss is a win-win option. Thanks to it, the shine of the facades will visually enlarge the room, making it more spacious and brighter.
• Bright or dark colors will cramp the bedroom and narrow it.
• Rich shiny colors will make the interior trendy and shocking, but in small rooms you should not combine several of these tones at the same time.
• The beige glow of the surfaces is the perfect solution: a neutral bedroom with bright accents is simply gorgeous.
• Black and white gloss looks very fashionable and is not shocking.
• Berry sparkle in the interior appeals to originals and eccentrics, but in a small room let these colors coexist with light ones.

Types of glossy furniture for the living room

A standard set of furniture for a glossy living room consists of:

• Wall;
• Closet;
• Dresser;
• Dining table or coffee table;
• Shelf or bookcase;
• Nightstand.

If desired, some elements can be replaced or not placed in the living room at all.

For a simpler and easier choice, there are several types of glossy furniture that are well suited for placement in the living room:

1. Modular furniture, which is considered to be the most aesthetically pleasing in appearance, is comfortable and functional to use. A set of furniture of this type consists of separate modules that allow you to assemble furniture of a certain configuration. As a rule, a set of cabinet furniture for a living room with a glossy finish includes: a TV stand, a wardrobe and shelving, open shelves.
2. Classic furniture is one of the most practical and standard furniture sets, which consist of bedside tables, a wardrobe and a chest of drawers. It is worth noting that such sets of living room furniture have certain standard dimensions and consist of open and closed elements.
3. Mini walls in a glossy design are an excellent type of furniture for a small living room. It is worth noting that this type of furniture has quite a spacious place for storing things and all sorts of small things. The set contains a sufficient number of open shelves that can be used to place equipment. This type of furniture is distinguished by its compactness and mobility; if necessary, it can be quickly and easily moved to another room.
4. Combined furniture with a glossy surface is an ideal option for a living room of any size. Furniture of this type is available in a very large assortment, both in terms of components and design, colors and sizes.

What to look for when choosing

When choosing furniture in a store, you should first of all take a close look at the materials and technologies; the quality of the laminated layer plays a big role in terms of practicality. After all, traces of unwanted influences - chips, scratches - will be immediately visible, such defects will begin to be immediately evident against the backdrop of an elegant environment. Therefore, if defects occur, the entire furniture façade may have to be replaced. But all these negative aspects can be minimized if you purchase high-quality modern materials from proven, reliable companies. Some manufacturers describe in detail the manufacturing technologies of their products, give advice on care and proper use. Take an interest in all the details, even consider the cost of cleaning materials and the frequency of their use - perhaps you should not save on the initial cost of the furniture because of the inconvenience that may arise during subsequent care of it.

When choosing glossy furniture for his living room, the customer must focus on specific conditions, dimensions, and configuration of the room. Glossy facades are used to cover various types of cabinet furniture, so that when choosing one set or another, the owners of an apartment or country cottage will have the opportunity to combine modules depending on the individual characteristics of the room. Elegant, elegant furnishings can fit into a small city apartment or a cottage with a non-standard layout when using modular furniture with glossy facades. The choice of lighting and its angles when planning the setting is also very important, since gloss can create glare that can have an undesirable effect on guests. If for some reason a beautifully furnished room lacks coziness and you don’t want to linger in it, you should try to change the location of the lamps. It is known that gloss transforms all known color shades, so that even traditional furniture can “sparkle” in a new way against a glossy background.

White gloss is rightly considered one of the most elegant and fashionable color solutions. Such interiors can be made in Scandinavian style or in Art Nouveau style. Glossy furniture has a reflective effect, which increases the illumination of the room as a whole, but can create a feeling of coldness. Elegant and modern, white gloss may also seem too cold to some. Perhaps this effect can be smoothed out by upholstered furniture covered in white leather, or natural silk curtains in the interior, decorated with small patterns or natural embroidery. Some interior details can also be covered with natural silk:

• decorative couches;
• bedside tables;
• banquettes;
• small sofas;
• chairs;
• armchairs;
• ottomans.

creating an atmosphere in a romantic or Empire style. Parts such as those that are very sensitive to abrasions and defects may not be used in everyday life, but stand aside or be stored separately, especially for special occasions.

White glossy furniture in the Art Nouveau style can be combined with contrasting shades of opposite (black, dark brown) or complementary colors - spectacular purple, light green and others. Such color contrasts can be attractive for owners who strive not to give their living room a too “cold” look, since the gloss itself has a “cool” effect, and will try to complement the living room decoration with interior elements in warmer colors. The design of living rooms using furniture lined with MDF panels can be made in a wide variety of colors - olive, blue, purple, or combine several contrasting color shades. Black gloss looks fashionable, elegant and modern in the interior: black bookcases, bedside tables, shelving, stands for a computer or home theater, coffee tables and other types of furniture can effectively contrast with white glossy accents in the interior.

Living room styles with glossy furniture

In principle, you can decorate a living room with glossy furniture in many modern style solutions.

The most popular and most suitable styles for a glossy living room are:

• Art Deco is one of the popular styles that combines luxury and comfort, the only thing is that you should not use a large amount of glossy furniture in it.
• Minimalism is a great option for a living room of any size.
• Pop art is an excellent option for decorating a living room with glossy furniture and for creating a certain bright accent.
• High-tech - well suited for the living room, especially if decorated with glossy white furniture.

Styles in which the use of shiny furniture is appropriate

Art Deco

Quite a popular modern style, as it is able to combine luxury and comfort. A glossy modular wall or cabinet is quite appropriate in such an interior, because they attract attention, look chic, but at the same time are functional and easy to care for. In addition, the Art Deco style welcomes the use of natural materials, so leather furniture will fit perfectly into the overall decor. The use of glass is also not prohibited.

Minimalism

Reflective surfaces in this style not only diversify the sobriety of the decor, but also bring light and air into the room. Again, the convenience of maintaining glossy furniture is captivating. In addition, the combination of natural and modern materials is an ideal opportunity to use it in decoration.

Tips for caring for glossy furniture

In order for the living room in a glossy design to be as well-groomed, neat and attractive as possible, it is worth paying due attention to the care of the furniture.

Experts give several tips that will make care easier and allow you to keep the furniture in its original attractive form for as long as possible:

1. When caring for glossy furniture, do not use aggressive chemicals.
2. If the furniture facade is made of MDF or covered with paint, then it should be cleaned with a simple soap solution and a piece of cloth with a soft surface.
3. If there is a PVF film on the furniture, it should be cleaned with a soft, dry cloth or napkin.
4. It is recommended to treat the surfaces of glossy furniture with an antistatic agent 1-2 times a month.

In order to add additional shine, you should use a special polish with wax.

Use of PVC film

In the manufacture of furniture facades from MDF, glossy PVC film is often used. It is fixed with the help of a vacuum on the outer side of the surface, bending at the ends without joints on the ribs.

The disadvantage of film coating is possible peeling due to temperature fluctuations and sudden changes in humidity. In addition, direct rays of the sun have a negative effect on the film. It is very easy to distinguish PVC film on facades, since they are mainly decorated with figured milling.

Advantages of using film for furniture:

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• ease of content,
• is not afraid of the effects of cleaning products,
• used on various façade configurations,
• possibility of applying an image to the outside,
• provides protection from moisture,
• low cost.

The disadvantages include:

• low gloss,
• not high hiding power,
• possible peeling during use,
• susceptibility to damage in the form of scratches,
• cannot be restored.

Photo of glossy furniture in the living room

Laminated wood boards

price segments: “economy”, “medium”

Laminated boards with gloss embossing are the cheapest option, although their price is ten percent higher than boards with matte textures. Typically, furniture makers use such materials in the manufacture of cabinets and facades of economy-class or mid-price furniture.

At the end of 2009, the Syktyvkar plywood plant was the first in Russia to master the production of boards in the trendy glossy structure. The impetus was the visit of SFZ specialists to furniture showrooms in Cologne and Milan. Very soon the company gained followers, but so far no one has managed to achieve such a high degree of gloss as that of Syktyvkar glossy slabs.

“The level of gloss depends on the quality of the surface of the base plate and the press pad itself,” says Yulia Sergeeva , head of the marketing department of SPP. — We bought press sheets with a maximum degree of gloss - 100 units, other board enterprises were limited to more modest indicators. Much depends on the decor. For example, on wood decors we manage to obtain an almost mirror-like surface. On monochrome, the gloss level is lower. The exception is black super gloss, which is in good demand. Moisture-resistant snow-white glossy boards are bought from us by bathroom furniture manufacturers, who mainly use them to make cabinets. And glossy wood ones are used by furniture makers to make facades for residential furniture and wardrobes. Among all the exclusives of the Lamarty collection, glossy decors are the most popular.”

Today, many leading board factories (Egger, Kronospan, VKDP, Nevsky Laminate, Ivatsevichdrev) produce laminated chipboards and MDF boards in gloss embossing. Slabs are also presented on the market in structures that combine glossy and matte fragments: these can be fancy, floral or geometric patterns. The breadth of the decorative range is different for each slab enterprise. For example, the group of glossy boards Gloss Boards, part of the Kronodesign collection from Kronospan, presents the most popular decors, and at SFZ they offer the entire line of Lamarty coatings, numbering about 90 options, in a glossy finish.

Matte facades - advantages, care, matching styles

Matte facades are made mainly from veneered MDF or natural wood. Such kitchens have several advantages:

• elegant appearance that fits easily into any interior;
• large selection of materials;
• the opportunity to create a comfortable atmosphere filled with home comfort.

Among the disadvantages of matte surfaces are the following:

• limited choice of color palette;
• It is difficult to remove greasy stains from matte surfaces;
• This set absorbs moisture.

Caring for a matte kitchen requires following some rules:

1. use of soft sponges, napkins and gentle detergents;
2. It is recommended to remove all dirt immediately - later stubborn greasy stains will be difficult to remove;
3. It is best to use a steam generator to clean wooden surfaces;
4. After wet cleaning a matte kitchen, you should definitely wipe it dry - this will significantly extend the life of the furniture.

A facade with a matte (especially wooden) texture is suitable for interiors in the style of classic, modern, Provence, country, shabby chic, and antique-style kitchens. Also, matte furniture will look good in a room with a glossy ceiling or floor.

Conclusion:

matte facades are practical, as they are easy to clean, give more freedom to imagination than glossy ones, and it is also easier to choose other furniture and accessories for them.

Hot Coating

Several years ago, the German manufacturer of paints and varnishes, Kleiberit, and the Spanish engineering company Barberan, joined forces to offer the market an innovative Hot Coating method, which allows obtaining a high-gloss surface with a minimum of labor costs. The new technology makes a whole series of operations unnecessary - pre-grinding, puttying, drying, and then, after applying the varnish, polishing.

One-component polyurethane is simply applied in a molten state to melamine, paper or veneer with a smoothing roller, which rubs it into the surface, sealing pores and removing any unevenness. The composition immediately hardens, forming a perfectly smooth substrate, and almost immediately, in one pass, it is covered with a transparent top varnish, which is completely distributed over the surface within 30 seconds and then cured using UV lamps. All operations are carried out in one pass of the machine.

The glossy coating obtained using new technology has such a high strength class that it can be used for floor coverings in industrial premises.

Glossy slabs produced using the most modern technology - Hot Coating - are offered to Russian consumers by the Kastamonu company. The slabs are produced at a plant in Gebze, near Istanbul, where the Barberan line, 2.44 meters wide, is installed. Laminated MDF and chipboard boards are used as the base.

Kastamonu specialists developed the technology together with its authors, the Kleiberit company. As a result, we achieved that the white gloss, unlike the products of many competitors, does not turn yellow. Any decor is possible: plain, fancy, wood, stone. The decorative layer is resistant to abrasion, impacts, scratches, and does not fade in the sun. The front side is presented in gloss, the back side is the same color as the front side, but is not varnished.

The first batch of GlossMax panels has already arrived at the dealer warehouse and is available to Russian furniture makers. The format of GlossMax panels is 2.8 x 2.1 meters. This is the optimal size for the production of modern furniture, providing furniture makers with the opportunity to reduce cutting waste to a minimum.

Using Hot Coating technology, they plan to produce high-gloss panels in Smolensk. The 20-meter Barberan line has already been installed, and commissioning work will begin here at the end of April.

The base will be laminated boards of emission class E05, produced near Veliky Novgorod and Egger-Gagarin, as well as painted in our own production.

The standard program includes slabs with a thickness of 10, 16, 18 mm, but the Barberan line has no height restrictions, so it is possible to produce panels of any thickness used in furniture production. The panel format is 2500 x 1800 mm; cutting of slabs to any size will also be offered, and in the future, edging of slabs.

Kitchen interior design - ideas using matte surfaces

White and beige matte kitchens in a modern style

White and beige colors are often used to decorate kitchens in classic and modern interiors, and when combined they create universal, elegant solutions. White facades look fresh and noble, and are also an excellent backdrop for framing spectacular details - an apron, kitchen furniture, and interesting accessories.

Beige facades visually increase the space, and glass doors, transparent chandeliers and chairs, glasses on the shelves enhance the feeling of airiness.

White matte kitchens with dark inserts

An effective interior design is achieved by combining light cabinets with dark elements: tables, chairs, paintings and household appliances. In this option, it is important to maintain the unity of style - for example, the apron and countertop set can completely match the color of the kitchen set itself, which creates the feeling of a complete surface.

Gray matte kitchens in loft style

Loft style sets imply an abundance of horizontal angular details. Such furniture is suitable for large rooms - in small kitchens it has little functionality and looks unnatural and cumbersome.

Matte loft-style facades are an ideal option for the design of a kitchen-living room. When choosing an interior in this style, experts most often divide a large room into two zones that smoothly transform into each other - active and passive. The first contains kitchen cabinets, a table and a stove, the second contains a sofa, bookshelves and a TV.

Matte facades, made in different shades of gray and having details with a variegated structure, look original and elegant. A table, sink, apron or small cabinet, decorated to look like stone or wood, contrasts effectively with a light gray background. The interior is complemented by rectangular sinks, angular faucets, ovens, shelves and household appliances in a gray metallic tone.

Black and white matte kitchens in loft style

A common solution in the loft style is the facade in black and white. In this case, the number of tones can be any. However, you will have to carefully select the decor, other furniture and dishes placed on open shelves. Most often, black cabinets are installed in a room with white or light-colored floors and walls. It is advisable to complement the interior with a white sofa, figurines, dishes or accessories that match the style.

Matte sets in a small kitchen

The choice of matte, and especially wooden, furniture for a small kitchen should be approached with particular care - the furniture should not look too bulky. Therefore, you should carefully calculate the dimensions and correctly arrange all the elements in the room. A combined option will look harmonious in a small kitchen, when the lower part of the set has a matte surface and the upper part has a glossy surface. It’s even better if the elements are made in two different colors that contrast with each other.